Haute Hotels in the Austin Area

Austin’s top spots for a honeymoon stay of your dreams.

By:

Shelley Seale

It’s finally here: your dream wedding day. So much planning and love went into this special celebration—followed, of course, by some much-deserved alone time to breathe, relax and enjoy the beginning of your new life together.

When it comes to planning the wedding night and honeymoon, you want it to be special. We’ve made it easy for you by rounding up the most romantic and charming hotel stays in Austin. From lavish hotel suites and private Jacuzzis to customized experiences such as breakfast in bed and a special first dance recreation, these hotels from downtown to the Austin Hill Country are sure to impress.

The DriskillPerhaps the best-known, most iconic hotel in town, the Driskill perfectly captures the opulence and glamour of a bygone time. Since wealthy cattle baron Jesse Driskill built the hotel in 1886, it’s been the place where politicians and celebrities hobnob.

From the Romanesque-style elegance of the lobby, with its marble floors, columns and the magnificent stained-glass dome ceiling to the nine exquisite suites, the Driskill surrounds its guests in both tradition and modern luxury—with the service to match its reputation, such as an intimate breakfast in bed from 1886 Café & Bakery, featuring fresh house-made pastries and locally sourced ingredients.

The Yellow Rose Landmark suite is perhaps the most romantic, with a white wrought-iron bed draped with a lace canopy. But you might also love the Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson suite, which emphasizes the First Lady’s love of nature and wildflowers. A highlight of this suite is the stunning 10-foot stained glass window behind the clawfoot bathtub.

Fun fact: The Johnsons had their first date at the Driskill Dining Room in 1934. It was a breakfast date that ended up lasting all day, and by sundown LBJ had asked Lady Bird to marry him.

Kimpton Hotel Van ZandtOne of the city’s newest hotels in the hopping Rainey Street district, the chic Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt has a pure Austin vibe. This boutique hotel exudes trend-forward style, from the open spaces and contemporary design to the specially curated house music you hear. A spacious, open lobby and living room area are designed with natural materials in warm colors, chandeliers custom-made to resemble trombones and other musical instruments, and unique art by locals like J.T. Van Zandt, son of Townes Van Zandt (an inspiration for the hotel).

The rooftop pool has its own full-service outside bar, with a special discovery when you dive in: A music playlist is piped through the underwater speakers. The pool area is part of a large deck that overlooks the Austin skyline, with an outdoor fireplace. The space is connected to Geraldine’s restaurant, which has become a local favorite and features live music every night.

The Van Zandt’s 319 guest rooms include 41 suites, the most in all of Austin. The five specialized presidential suites are the ones for a truly over-the-top experience. Each has separate bedrooms with plush king-sized beds, oversized bathrooms with soaking tub and kitchenettes with Gaggenau appliances. Each also has its own personality and special amenity. For instance, Pancho’s Suite offers a fully equipped poker table, while Lefty’s Suite has a vintage upright piano—perfect for serenading the love of your life.

Four Seasons Hotel AustinTimeless elegance and Texas hospitality—that’s what the Four Seasons Hotel Austin is all about. It’s one of the most popular locales for many of the city’s premier events, from fundraising galas and Austin City Limits concert tapings to, yes, lavish weddings. Tucked away in a serene corner of downtown along Lady Bird Lake, the Four Seasons provides the perfect combination of city access with the serenity of nature. The trailside fire-pit seating areas make for a great place to enjoy a romantic glass of wine together.

As for accommodations, you can choose from lake-view or city-view suites, or go for one of the specialty suites—Congressional, Governor’s or Presidential. The custom furnishings include antique bronze benches, velvet and suede sofas, cowhide ottomans and leather platform beds, all fresh from a renovation this past fall.

The Presidential Suite epitomizes the convergence of classic design and modern conveniences and technology. A butler’s kitchen, two lounge seating areas including a “jam pit” for impromptu creative sessions, and a dining room with a statement wood-and-bronze table and revolutionary see-through fireplace provide generous living space. Guests can also retreat to the master bedroom with its four-poster canopy bed and cozy, chic daybed by the window, or sink into the free-standing soaking tub in the large master bath—home to its own generously sized walk-in closet.

Hotel EllaOne of Austin’s most gracious historic landmarks, Hotel Ella is every inch a contemporary boutique hotel. The classic Greek revival mansion was built in 1900 as one of the original grand estates in the city, with its own romantic twist: it’s named after Goodall Wooten’s wife, Ella; the couple were the first residents of the home.

The Mansion Petite Suites are the ones to book for honeymooners, with king beds, custom-designed furniture, sitting areas, the Vintage Round Top hair and body products, locally curated minibars and floor-to-ceiling French doors that open to the mansion’s balcony. The Ella will also whisk you away anywhere within a three-mile radius of the hotel in its complimentary car service.

Fairmont Hotel AustinOpened in late fall 2017, the Fairmont was one of Austin’s most highly anticipated hotel developments. Uniquely located amid the lush greenery of Palm Park and Waller Creek, the 37-story luxury hotel is sure to be a favorite for events—including weddings, of course. The Fairmont aims to engage guests with the city’s famed music scene, as well as the area’s celebrated cuisine and diverse artistic lifestyle.

Junior suites are open-concept, with elegant sitting areas and lavish bathrooms, while the Grand and Presidential suites have separate parlors, full dining rooms and striking panoramic views. They all feature luxurious pillow-top mattresses and French-style duvets. Honeymooners may want to take advantage of the exquisite spa for couples’ treatments or reserve a private cabana at the seasonally heated pool.

W AustinAustin’s version of the classic W brand is set in a mixed-use project called Block 21, which is also the new home of Austin City Limits. Rock-star amenities add a fun edge, and Austin’s music scene is honored with the photographic retrospective of ACL’s 35 years. The W Austin is known for its signature “Whatever, Whenever” service, a philosophy that pampers guests with unparalleled service—offering guests and residents “whatever you want, whenever you want it.” From basic requests to the extraordinary quest, the concierge staff transforms dreams into reality.

But the grandest gesture that the W makes for newlyweds is in recreating their first dance, with a record player set up in the suite upon arrival, with their first dance song set to play. The couple can even keep the record after their stay as a memento. For a major splurge, book the EWOW Suite, perhaps the city’s most luxurious, with sleek custom furniture, Murano glass chandelier and McIntosh McAire audio system. Booking a couples’ massage at the award-winning AWAY Spa is sure to add the perfect touch to your stay.

Hotel GranducaFor a taste of Italy right here in Austin, honeymooners can head to the Hotel Granduca in the hills on the west side of town. With stunning views across the Texas Hill Country, the hotel incorporates style to invoke Tuscan scenery. Inspired by Adalberto Malatesta, Granduca of Monfallito, the classical grace of a private Tuscan villa is achieved here, with many of the antique furnishings, art and decorations from the family home of owner Giorgio Borlenghi.

The Italian flair is showcased throughout the hotel in its hand-painted murals, intricately detailed mosaic designs, patterned wood floors and antique carpets—including in guest rooms. Five different suites offer amenities such as deep soaking tubs or kitchenettes; try the 1,350-square-foot Residenza Imperatore, with two full bathrooms and a private study. The Granduca also offers guests complimentary chauffeured transportation on request so newlyweds travel in style.

InterContinental Stephen F. AustinKnown to locals as the “Grand Old Lady,” the landmark Stephen F. Austin has been one of the most fashionable places in town since opening in the Roaring ’20s. The unique Art Deco architecture, intricate details, polished marble floors and burnished wood capture a bygone age of glamour, while the extensive renovations have returned it to its original glory, with the addition of all the modern amenities.

The Governor’s Suite, for example, was entirely renovated in September, with elegant, understated furnishings and a large balcony that wraps around three sides of the hotel. On the top (16th) floor, this suite has the best “front-row” seat in Austin, with a stunning view of the State Capitol.

One highlight of a stay here, and very popular with locals as well, is the second-floor Stephen F’s Bar & Terrace. With gorgeous indoor space in shades of red and dark wood reminiscent of a well-appointed library, the bar also boasts an extensive outdoor terrace on Congress Avenue and a bird’s-eye view of the State Capitol.

JW Marriott AustinOne of Austin’s newest, this 34-story hotel is the largest JW Marriott hotel in the Americas and the second-largest worldwide. The design melds big-city metropolitan attitude with the down-home culture of Austin, with the brand’s sophistication and top-notch service are there as well.

JW Marriott Austin offers a romance package for honeymooners that includes luxurious accommodations, daily room-service breakfast for two and late checkout. Hotel staff also sends up a bottle of Champagne, chocolates and personalized bathrobes for couples holding weddings at the hotel.

Honeymooners can also take advantage of several romance packages or the couples’ massage option at the hotel’s Spa by JW. Try the Ultimate Aromatherapy Massage that infuses a personalized blend of powerful therapeutic essential oils, or the Agave Nectar on the Rocks massage, which includes a detoxifying mineral bath blend and hot stone massage with an agave nectar craft cocktail.

Hotel Saint CeciliaSituated in a secluded late-1800s estate off South Congress, Hotel Saint Cecilia exudes a minimalist, artsy vibe that’s miles away from the bed-and-breakfasts that usually occupy such mansions. Named after the patron saint of music and poetry, Cecilia draws its inspiration from the history and experimentation of writers, musicians and artists from the 1960s and ’70s.

The hotel is a unique and gorgeous setting for the wedding itself, and guests can take advantage of in-room styling service from By George and in-room spa services. Gift packages from Champagne and a fruit/cheese spread to flowers can be ordered ahead of time for the couple to discover on arrival.

A glamorous rock ’n’ roll vibe infuses the five suites, three studios and six poolside bungalows, as well as the heated pool and lounge spaces. The bungalows especially are private hideaways, each with a personality of its own. All feature a spacious bedroom with a handmade king bed by Hästens, Sweden’s most revered bedding company, plus living area and outdoor seating. Bathrooms are outfitted with Le Labo bath products and custom kimono bathrobes.